Walks and Waterfalls Around Lorne
Walks around the Lorne area cover a great variety of distances and environments. There are more than 70 bush and coastal walks of various lengths in the Surf Coast region which go to spectacular coastal lookouts, waterfalls, forests, beaches. old timber tramways, rocky gullies filled with tree ferns and heathland.
The map (see link below) covers 23 walks around Lorne.
Walks #1 to 9 are walks that can be done from Lorne Visitor Centre and do not require transport.
Walks #10 to 23 are waterfalls and longer walks that can be joined together to create longer walks that may require transport.
Dogs are generally not allowed within the Great Otway National Park. However, dogs are permitted on a leash on walks 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 and 22 . The first part of walk 16 to the Sanctuary from Lorne is also permitted with dogs on a leash.
Walking from Lorne
#1 Lorne Foreshore (South) - Shipwreck Plaques and Doug Stirling Walk
> Start: Lorne Visitor Centre (Town Map ref J14)
> Finish: Shelly Beach (Town Map ref L17)
> Type: Transport Shuttle or return
> Distance: 1.5km one way
> Time: 1 hour
> Difficulty: Easy - stroller friendly
This easy walk on gravel paths and boardwalks along the Lorne foreshore takes you past a number of plaques commemorating the shipwrecks in Louttit Bay. A separate Shipwreck Plaque Walk and Historical Walk Brochure are available from the Lorne Visitor Centre. The Doug Stirling Walk is a 1km walk along the foreshore between the Lorne Surf Lifesaving Club and the Lorne Pier.
#2 Swing Bridge Circuit
> Start/Finish: Lorne Visitor Centre (Town Map ref J14)
> Type: Circuit
> Distance: 1km loop
> Time: 20 minutes return
> Difficulty: Easy - stroller friendly
From the Visitor Centre walk through Top Bank Caravan Park to Swing Bridge. Cross the bridge and turn left along the boardwalk. Finish by walking through the caravan park and across Erskine River Bridge to the Visitor Centre.
#3 Lorne Foreshore (North) - Swing Bridge and Bert Alsop Walk
> Start: Lorne Visitor Centre (Town Map ref J14)
> Finish: Car park on Great Ocean Road below Allen Street (Town Map ref K12)
> Type: Transport Shuttle or return
> Distance: 2km one way
> Time: 1 hour
> Difficulty: Easy
From the Lorne Visitor centre walk through Top Bank Caravan Park to Swing Bridge. Cross the bridge and turn right past the memorial graves and continue along through
a Melaleuca grove, finishing the walk on the beach below the car park. Dependent on the tide, the walk can be returned back along the beach to the river mouth.
#4 Five Mile Track
> Start: Lorne Visitor Centre (Town Map ref J14)
> Finish: Deans Marsh Road, 7km north of Lorne (SC Map ref I15)
> Type: Transport Shuttle or return
> Distance: 8km one way
> Time: 3 hours
> Difficulty: Moderate. Slippery when wet.
This walk is on a 4WD track seasonally closed to vehicles. Wallabies and kangaroos frequent the understorey and some rare and threatened plant species may be
found along the track. There are views across the Erskine River to Erskine Falls Road.
#5 Teddy's Lookout and Queens Park Lookout Loop
> Start/Finish: Car park, corner of George Street and Francis Street
> Type: Circuit
> Distance: 1.6km loop
> Time: 45 minutes
> Difficulty: Moderate
Drive to the rotunda at the end of George Street and walk a few hundred metres to Teddy's Lookout. The Queens Park Lookout Loop takes you through the bush of Queens Park via three lookouts with panoramic views along the coast and the Otway Ranges.
#6 Tramway Track Stage 1
> Start: Pt Grey Car Park > Finish: St George River on the Great Ocean Road
> Type: Shuttle
> Distance: 1.5km one way
> Time: 30 minutes
> Difficulty: Moderate
This clearly marked interpretive trail mostly follows the route of the tramway used by teams of horses to haul timber from the St George River area to Lorne pier until the 1930s. Signs tell the history of the tramway and the local timber industry.
#7 Tramway Track Optional Extension (Continuation of Stage 1)
> Start: St George River
> Finish: Pt Grey Car Park (Shelly Beach) (Town Map ref L17)
> Type: Shuttle/Circuit
> Distance: 3km
> Time: 1 hour 30 minute circuit
> Difficulty: Moderate
This track runs uphill on the eastern side of the St George River where there are views over the river and the grassy river flats. A steep climb with great views across the valley follows. The track loops back toward the sea as it begins the climb to Teddy's Lookout. Before the rotunda take the track to the right down through Queens Park Caravan Park and Topp Street to Shelly Beach Car Park.
#8 Ocean Walk/Cherry Tree Creek Walk
> Start: St George River
> Finish: Allenvale Road (Greenbreak Track Junction)
> Type: Transport Shuttle or return
> Distance: 2.4km one way
> Time: 1 hour
> Difficulty: Moderate
This track runs uphill on the eastern side of the St George River where there are views over the river and the grassy river flats. A steep climb with great views across the valley follows. The track divides and continues along the right hand fork, around the hill coming out on Allenvale Road a few minutes south of Qdos Gallery.
#9 St George River Walk
> Start: St George River
> Finish: Allenvale Mill Car Park
> Type: Transport Shuttle or return
> Distance: 2.7km one way
> Time: 1 hour
> Difficulty: Moderate
The St George River track follows the river beside rocky pools and shady fern gullies. It's mostly flat and there are two river crossings and spectacular views of towering eucalypts.
Note: There is a low river crossing on the St George River that should not be attempted when the river is high. This walk can be done in reverse from the St George River mouth and can be joined with the Tramway walk and coastal walks to complete a loop back to Lorne along the coast or inland along Allenvale Road.
Walks and Waterfalls
#10 Sheoak Picnic Area Nature Walk
> Start/Finish: Sheoak Picnic Area
> Type: Circuit
> Distance: 1.3km
> Time: 30 minute circuit
> Difficulty: Easy - stroller friendly
This is a short easy walk around the picnic area, taking you through ferny glades with tall manna gums overhead. It is a good walk for stretching legs after a BBQ and for learning something about the features of the forest from the interpretive signs along the way. This is also a suitable spot for a night walk, with glow worms occasionally by the bridge.
#11 Castle Rock
> Start/Finish: Sheoak Picnic Area
> Type: Return
> Distance: 7km return
> Time: 3 hours return
> Difficulty: Moderate
This walk starts with a steep climb up from Sheoak Picnic Area before reaching the sheoak Track surrounded by dry forest. The descent down to Castle Rock is steep and rough with a lot of steps before reaching the lookout with panoramic views over the Cumberland River and coast below.
For longer walks you can return via Sheoak Falls and Swallow Cave to Sheoak Picnic Area or the Great Ocean Road. An even longer walk takes you down into the Cumberland River valley and out to the Great Ocean Road.
#12 Won Wondah, Henderson Falls and The Canyon
> Start/Finish: Lower car park at Sheoak
> Type: Return
> Distance: 1.8km each way
> Time: 1 to 2 hours
> Difficulty: Easy
From the Sheoak Picnic Area a gentle track with a couple of small rises leads past Won Wondah Falls, and onwards passing a giant eucalypt tree to finish amongst a fern gully in front of the base of Henderson Falls (8-10 metres tall). This walk can continue to be done in reverse.
#13 Upper and Lower Kalimna Falls
> Start/Finish: Lower car park at Sheoak
> Type: Return
> Distance:
Lower Falls - 6.5km return
Upper Falls - 8.5km return
> Time:
Lower Falls - 2 hours 30 minutes
Upper Falls - 3 hours 30 minutes
> Difficulty: Easy
The Kalimna Falls walk follows the route of a timber tramway used for transporting timber to the Lorne Pier between the 1890s and 1920s. Very few trees escaped the logging. The Lower Falls are not large, but you can get behind them and look out through the falling water to the large pool surrounded by mossy logs and rocks. The Upper Falls are a series of cascades viewed from a platform.
#14 Sheoak Falls and Swallow Cave
> Start/Finish: Sheoak Falls Car Park
> Type: Return
> Distance: 2.2km return
> Time: 1 hour return
> Difficulty: Moderate
This is a quick and easy walk. It is only 10 minutes from the car park to get a glimpse of the falls. While not spectacular, they are quite beautiful as they flow down the dark rock face to the deep pool below. Swallow Cave is best seen from spring to autumn, when nesting birds are present.
Note: There is a creek crossing on stepping stones near Swallow Cave, which should not be attempted if the water is high.
#15 Erskine Falls, Lookouts 1 and 2
> Start/Finish: Erskine Falls Car Park
> Type: Return
> Distance:
1st lookout - 300m return
2nd lookout - 700m return
to base of falls (300+ steps)
> Time:
1st lookout - 15 minutes return
2nd lookout - 30 minutes return
> Difficulty:
1st lookout - Easy
2nd lookout - Moderate
Erskine Falls is one of the most popular falls in the Otways. The 30 metre falls are attractive even when there is little water tumbling into the pool below. It is an easy
walk to the first lookout, providing a spectacular view over the falls. The steep climb down steps to the second lookout is more strenuous, but worth it for the view from the beautiful fern gully.
Note: Closest toilets are Blanket Leaf Picnic Ground.
#16 Erskine River Track
> Start: Erskine Falls Car Park
> Finish: Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park (Kia Ora)
> Type: Shuttle
> Distance: 7.5km one way
> Time: 2 to 3 hours each way
> Difficulty: Strenuous
From the base of the Erskine Falls you cross the river a number of times as you follow the Erskine River downstream to the natural amphitheatre of the Sanctuary before reaching the Rapids and the tidal section of the river mouth at Lorne. For the first kilometre of this walk there are frequent river crossings over stones and fallen logs. This track is slippery when wet.
Note: This walk is only recommended for experienced walkers. There are many river
crossings and this walk should not be attempted when the river is high.
#17 Lemonade Creek Track
> Start: Erskine Falls Car Park
> Finish: Blanket Leaf Picnic Area
> Type: Transport Shuttle or return
> Distance: 4km one way
> Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
> Difficulty: Moderate
The Lemonade Creek Track takes you through open woodland, tall eucalypt forest and fern-filled creek gullies. This winding track is relatively steep in places, but you
cross the creek on small bridges or boardwalks. There are some excellent views.
#18 Cora Lynn Cascades Walk
> Start: Blanket Leaf Car Park
> Finish: Cora Lyn Cascades
> Type: Return
> Distance: 2.1km one way
> Time: 1.5 to 2 hours return
> Difficulty: Moderate
This walk takes you through tall eucalypts and shady tree ferns to an open area at the base of stunning cascades, which flow over a series of exposed shale ledges and are framed by luxuriant ferns and mosses.
#19 Blanket Leaf Picnic Area to Allenvale Mill
> Start: Blanket Leaf Car Park
> Finish: Allenvale Mill Car Park
> Type: Shuttle
> Distance: 8km
> Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
> Difficulty: Strenuous
This is a strenuous walk, well worth the effort. It combines the Cora Lynn Cascades Walk and the Allenvale Mill to Phantom Falls Walk (this can be done in reverse). Between the Cascades and the Cora Lynn Crossing, the track crosses the creek more than 20 times and at times it is hard to see the orange-red arrows indicating where to cross. The walk beyond Cora Lynn Cascades to Phantom Falls is recommended for experienced walkers only.
Note: This walk is only recommended for experienced walkers. It should not be attempted after heavy rain or when river levels are high.
#20 Allenvale Mill to Phantom Falls
> Start/Finish: Allenvale Mill Car Park
> Type: Return
> Distance: 3.5km return (not 5km as described in some material)
> Time: 1 hour 30 minutes return
> Difficulty: Moderate
After crossing the St George River and skirting around the edge of an orchard, this walk climbs on a vehicle track above the rocky bed of the St George River before descending to a pool at the base of the scenic Phantom Falls. The vehicle track is uphill most of the way, with some steep sections of loose gravel. From the base of the falls, experienced walkers can take the strenuous walk to Cora Lynn Cascades. From above the falls there is a track leading to the Canyon and Sheoak Picnic Area.
#21 Allenvale Mill Car Park to Phantom Falls, The Canyon, Won Wondah and Henderson Falls
> Start/Finish: Allenvale Mill Car Park
> Type: Circuit
> Distance: 8.6km circuit
> Time: 3 to 4 hour circuit
> Difficulty: Moderate
After reaching Phantom Falls, from above the falls there is a track leading to The Canyon, a fascinating geological feature with sheer walls rising to 10 metres on either side, onwards to Won Wondah Falls and then worth diverting the short distance to Henderson Falls. From here return towards the Sheoak Picnic ground, walking back along the Allenvale road to the Allenvale Mill Site. This is one of the most diverse and spectacular loop walks around Lorne.
#22 Stony Creek, Lilypond Reserve
> Start/Finish: Car park at Stony Creek Bridge on Great Ocean Road north of Lorne
> Type: Return
> Distance: 1km return
> Time: 20 minutes return
> Difficulty: Easy - stroller friendly
From the Stony Creek Car Park cross the small bridge to the picnic area in a grassy eucalypt woodland. The walk ends dramatically at the base of a long cascade. This is a good walk for children, with a well-formed path suitable for wheelchairs and prams.
Note: The rocks of the cascade are slippery and potentially dangerous.
#23 Cumberland River and Cumberland Falls
> Start/Finish: Cumberland River
> Type: Return
> Distance: 6km return
> Time: 2.5 to 3 hours return
> Difficulty: Strenuous
This is one of the more beautiful river valleys in the Otways, with dramatic cliffs, and peaceful pools in which to cool off on a hot summer day. It is an easy walk to Jebb's Pool but beyond that to Cumberland Falls there are numerous river crossings and some scrambling over rocks.
Note: There are several low river crossings on the Cumberland River that should not be attempted at high river levels. Slippery when wet.
Location
15 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne 3232 Map
Web Links
→ Lorne Walks and Waterfalls Brochure and Map (PDF)
→ The Best Waterfalls in Melbourne and Victoria for Family Visits
